Art Escobado Obituary
Class of 2016

Arthur Epifano Escobado, born Jan. 20, 1930, in Walsenburg, Colo., passed away Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, with his son and grandchildren at his bedside. Arthur was 92 years old and attended Huerfano County High school in Walsenburg where he was a standout baseball and football player. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; and his two sons, Arthur "Artie" and Phillip "Philly." He leaves behind a loving son, Michael; grandchildren, Arthur "Art " Escobado, Kerry (Mike) Collins, Jacob Escobado, Erin (Chad) Gleaton, Simon (Kellie) Escobado Sophia Montoya, Lacey (James) Page and Ava Escobado; and nine great-grandchildren.

Arthur joined the military in 1947 and was stationed in the Philippine islands where he was named to the All-Pacific Air Force team as a starting pitcher in both baseball and fastpitch softball. Arthur came home to Pueblo where he sold insurance and then worked for the Pueblo War on Poverty where he was instrumental in developing, packaging, and securing over 75 loans for first time home buyers for the lower East Side area. In 1977, he was awarded a HUD Section 8 221, D4 project for a 202 unit, 14 story high rise for the elderly, known as Azteca Apartments. At that time, he was the first Hispanic west of the Mississippi to develop, syndicate and own the $5 million project.

He was active in coaching and sponsoring various baseball, fastpitch softball, basketball, soccer, and bantam football teams for both boys and girls and city men's league. In 1980, he and his sons started the fastpitch Aztec Softball Club. They were six-time Colorado State Champions, two-time Colorado Travel League champions, placed 7th in the ISC World Tournament in 1983 and 12th in the ASA fastpitch World Tournament in 1987.

Arthur and his family also sponsor the Pueblo Girls Azteca Softball Club and the Azteca Baseball Club at Runyon Field. Arthur enjoyed traveling, fishing, and watching sports with his friends, son, and grandchildren. He was a pillar in the community and a philanthropist for many charities locally, statewide, and nationally. He served on various boards and was a member of many local organizations. He will be deeply missed by those whose lives were impacted by his love and generosity.

Funeral preparations were done by Imperial Memorial Gardens Funeral Home

Hulsey's Obituary courtesy of The Pueblo Chieftain